BBCS names CFO amid ‘highly challenging market’

BBC Studios has named Amanda Jones as its chief financial officer, as part of plans to diversify its business and navigate what its chief exec described as “a highly challenging market”.

Jones was previously interim CFO and will formally take up the reins in August, when Lorraine Burgess departs after four years in the role.

She will be responsible for the overall financial strategy and teams for the BBC’s commercial group, as well as overseeing budgeting, reporting, business support and financial controls.

Jones will work closely with chief exec Tom Fussell - another former BBC Studios CFO - to shape the company’s strategy, which aims to double its 2022 profits and revenues by 2028.

She will also join the BBC Studios Executive Committee and become a member of the BBC’s Commercial Board.

Jones joins having worked at media organisations such as Sky, ITV and Emap, as well as being CFO at data, insight and consulting business Kantar Worldpanel.

Fussell said: “As BBC Studios seeks to grow its business in a highly challenging market, Amanda will be instrumental in helping us drive the business forward to deliver against our ambitious plans.

“She is a highly commercial finance executive with extensive experience at board level in large and global organisations and holds an impressive track record in bringing together different businesses and supporting digital product growth strategies in traditional media organisations.”

Jones added: “I’m delighted to be joining BBC Studios at such a pivotal point on its journey. As a world-renowned content company with a distinctive global brand, BBC Studios has enormous potential for continued growth and innovation.”

Fussell also thanked Burgess, who had been with the company since 2021. “She has been a much loved and respected colleague across the whole company, and I wish her well, and continued success, with her future plans,” he said.

BBCS posted record revenues last week, driven by consumer products growth around brands such as Bluey and its surging streaming group, but Fussell admitted the market environment is tough.

He also told Broadcast International that he expects to see more collaboration between broadcasters and streamers in the vein of ITVX’s recent pact with Disney in the UK and TF1’s deal with Netflix in France.